Induvidual Consultancy (Maldivian National) to conduct a needs assessment to determine the technical and functional requirements of a software solution to improve finance and HR management i

Consultant Programme & Policy Teaching & Training Innovation

Overview

Conduct a needs assessment to define software requirements for school finance and HR management.

You have:

• Advanced degree in Public financing, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Proven track record in assessing finance and HR management systems, including digitization and integration with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP.
• Experience in project management, including planning, execution, and reporting.
• Knowledge of the local education context in the Maldives is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to map processes and analyze data flows.
• Proficiency in software evaluation and vendor analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Dhivehi.
• Strong presentation skills for stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, school administrators, and technical staff.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to changing project requirements.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Education.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has initiated an education transformation agenda with a strong focus on strengthening education sector planning and financing. This initiative includes the development of tools and guidelines to coordinate and track development aid, which will be integrated with the Education Management Information System (EMIS). Additionally, the agenda aims to increase institutional capacity in budget analysis and financial management.

A key component of this transformation is the digitization of finance and HR management in schools, linking these processes to the SAP system at MoE. The current manual system of finance and HR management in schools causes significant inefficiencies, including irregular reporting schedules, delays in data processing, and increased administrative burden. Schools maintain separate manual records, which raises the risk of data inaccuracies and duplication. Furthermore, reporting processes lack standardized timelines, with schools submitting reports at different intervals. This fragmented system causes delays and undermines the timely availability of accurate and comprehensive data, ultimately affecting effective decision-making.

To address these challenges, the MoE requires software designed to efficiently manage, analyze, and provide near real-time tracking of budget implementation and human resources management, linked to the annual budget.

In this context, the UNICEF Maldives Country Office is seeking the services of a local consultant to undertake a comprehensive needs assessment. This assessment will inform the determination of the technical and functional requirements of the software needed to improve finance and HR management in schools.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of this TOR is to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify and define the technical and functional requirements for a software solution that will streamline and enhance the management of finance and human resources in schools. This software will aim to improve efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness in data reporting and processing, thereby supporting effective decision-making and overall educational planning and management.

For the detailed Terms of Reference please visit this link: VA TOR to conduct a needs assessment of software solution.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education and background:

• Advanced degree in Public financing, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.

Experience and expertise:

• Proven track record in assessing finance and HR management systems, including digitization and integration with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP.
• Experience in project management, including planning, execution, and reporting.
• Knowledge of the local education context in the Maldives is highly desirable.

Technical Skills:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to map processes and analyze data flows.
• Proficiency in software evaluation and vendor analysis.
• Familiarity with Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and other relevant educational technologies.

Communication and collaboration:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Dhivehi.
• Ability to conduct interviews, focus groups, and surveys effectively.
• Strong presentation skills for stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, school administrators, and technical staff.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to changing project requirements.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unicef.org